Nokia Siemens Networks has started producing radio base stations ready for LTE in the 800 MHz band. The announcement comes as Germany holds an auction for frequencies in the 800MHz band. These frequencies are often called the 'digital dividend', freed up from the switch to digital broadcasting. According to NSN, the 800 MHz frequency band is particularly attractive for mobile networks in rural areas due to its greater reach, enabling operators to meet their mobile broadband access targets cost efficiently. The company expects the first commercial deployments of the new Flexi base stations in the second half of 2010. Nokia Siemens Networks successfully tested LTE technology for 800 MHz last year at its R&D centres in Ulm, Germany, and Oulu, Finland, using the Flexi Multiradio Base Station.
